petite spitfire, student advocate, teacher supporter, passionate educator, elementary principal, beautiful disaster, justice seeker, she her, tweets mine
St. Louis, Missouri
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Every now and then, I’ll be sitting somewhere, lost in a random thought, and it suddenly hits me—oh yeah… I wrote a book.
a.co/d/hKiVhqc
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I did a thing today.
Not just anything.
I successfully defended my dissertation and became the doctor others thought I would have to marry.
I am so proud to be Dr. Garcia-Niles.
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As a principal, I don’t need to see your lesson plans. Because if I’m doing my job effectively, I see the true teaching and learning every day.
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I will never understand why schools remove play in an effort to focus on academics when we know that play is one of the very things we need in order to focus on academics.
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Here’s to another dance around the sun. 46 was pretty great. Can’t wait to see what 47 has in store. Look out, world! 🌍
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I think all non-educators chiming in on how kids should all be back in the brick and mortar, social distancing, should be added to the substitute registry.
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First grader: When I grow up, I want to be a principal!
Me: That’s awesome! You will be great! What made you decide to be a principal?
First grader: You get to walk around in fancy shoes just saying hello to everyone all day.
Me: 😳
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I am a teachers’ principal. People call me a unicorn. I’m not. I’m just a teacher who worked for the worst principal ever. And I learned who not to be. I became who I needed in spite of who I had.
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Tonight I told my kids that I was voted funniest in school when I was younger.
And they legit asked if I was home schooled.
My children are now on the porch.
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Administrators should remember teaching so clearly that they can’t make a decision without thinking about it as a teacher.
That’s my TED Talk.
And if you’re mad about that statement, you probably need to get back into a classroom and be mad from there.
😬
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Kindergartner: Will you walk me back to my classroom so I can get my water bottle.
Me: Absolutely.
Kindergartner: Ok. Hold my hand. I don’t want you to get lost.
And that’s what makes the hard days worth it.
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First grader: You’re not really leaving are you?
Me: Yes, but it’s happy. I’m going to be a principal.
First grader: I don’t think you’ll be as good at that as you are this job.
Me: Well, I’m going to try.
First grader: Trust me, you’re better off here.
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My first day as Principal wasn’t perfect by standard definition, but it was perfect to me. I adore this school because of the people in it!
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I am stressed and exhausted.
And yesterday I cried. A lot.
I love my job. I hate the Pandemic.
I am going to be fine, and I’ll get out of bed and be my best for teachers and kids.
I just think it’s important for educators to know that you are not alone. This is hard. ♥️
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If I ever become a principal, I never want to forget what I needed as a teacher during a time of crisis.
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If a teacher needs to be out, our response should be “Take care of you.” The sub shortage shouldn’t keep educators from taking care of themselves. I’d rather a teacher be gone for a day than leave forever due to a lack of empathy.
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My feeling on homework is:
If kids CAN do the homework, they shouldn’t have the homework.
If they CAN’T do the homework, they shouldn’t have the homework.
I hope you enjoyed my TED Talk.
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Each of our staff members chose a word to live by this year. For staff appreciation, my co-principal and I hand-stamped bracelets with each word and wrote a note of how they demonstrated that word. I hope they loved them as much as we loved making them.
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I start the day with 6 post-it notes on my desk. Before I leave each day, I hold myself accountable for writing 6 specific notes of gratitude to people.
This practice helps me look for the good. We will see what we look for.
Remember that.
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Me: Thank you so much for allowing me to come to your class today.
Second Grader: To be honest, we didn’t really have a choice.
Me:
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I love kids unconditionally. That’s why I do what I do.
However, the further I get into leadership, the deeper I understand that the best way to love kids is to love teachers.
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My professor told me to write my dissertation about the hill I’m willing to die on, so I chose to research what teachers need from leaders in order to stay in the profession. Because as a leader, teachers are my hill.
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I am so proud that I’ve spent 22 years in public education and am just now moving to admin.
I’ve done the time only to realize how important it is to do the time.
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To all new educators and administrators…
Deodorant in your desk drawer.
You’re welcome.
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I was once told if I wanted to be successful I should marry rich.
Today I passed the exam to become a principal in the profession that makes all other professions possible.
I look forward to many years of convincing kids they can be successful doing whatever makes them happy.
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If you are an educator and your passion isn’t human potential, I’m afraid you’ve chosen the wrong line of work.
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It’s not about teachers remembering their why.
It’s about leaders helping to remove the barriers so that teachers can access their why.
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Our parent association made goodie bags for substitute teachers and it’s just one more reason I love this community.
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I walked around my school today. Everyone was doing something. I don’t know if it hit the standards. I don’t know if there were learning targets. But teachers and kids were happy. And sometimes that’s what matters most. Okay, always, that’s what matters most.
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Tonight I fall asleep as an instructional coordinator and I’ll wake up as a principal.
I am a first generation college graduate.
I am a white presenting Hispanic woman
I shouldn’t be here.
But, I am.
Take that, universe.
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Tonight our District is bringing two things to the board: a bonus for all staff members in the district and a spring mental health day for all.
We spoke. But more importantly, they listened.♥️
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Kindergartner: Why are you always in the hallway?
Me: Because I want to see all the kids.
Kindergartner: What if all the kids don’t want to see you?
Me: I guess I never really thought about it.
Kindergartner: Maybe you should go to your office and think about it now.
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I became an educator because I love kids. I became an administrator because I love adults who love kids.
For me, it’s the people, not the positional power. It’s always the people.
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Adminisrators, teachers love to feel appreciated. And while mugs and snacks are lovely, what we really want is an ongoing culture of appreciation built through encouraging our autonomy, inviting our flexibility, coaching our failures and your regular presence in our classrooms.
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Yesterday a parent called me with safety concerns. She was clear and kind. Direct and constructive. I was so grateful for the honesty and even more grateful for the approach. She treated me like I was on her team, because I am. We need more of this in education.
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One year ago tonight I got my first principal job. I was so excited. And that’s before I even knew I hit the school jackpot. So grateful they said yes!
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Today we welcomed kids back into the building, and my cheeks hurt from smiling! Year 2 as principal, year 24 in education. I am prouder than ever to be an educator.
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I don’t know who needs to hear this but..
Teachers, you are freaking amazing.
🍎 This is hard.
🍎 This is exhausting.
🍎 This is time-consuming
And you are killing it.
Take care of you.
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I keep eyeing the clock to see if it’s acceptable to crawl into bed.
There is absolutely no tired like Friday night teacher tired.
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Staying in the field of education right now takes strength, and so does leaving.
We need to continue to support our educators. They aren’t superheroes. They are humans who should be acknowledged for how hard this is and how amazing they’re doing.
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Today at recess, a first grader came to tell me she had a plan to change the world. I asked her if we could have a meeting later to discuss her idea and she said, “Absolutely, I’m free all day.” 💀
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I’m dumbfounded that some teachers teaching remotely are still required to teach from school when we know that humans do their best work when they feel safe and comfortable.
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Our district has given us the next two days off for mental health.♥️ I’m so proud to work in a place that centers people. And I’m so happy to shut my alarm off.
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You aren’t in a failing school. You’re in a school. The only thing failing is the system. It’s not the kids. It’s never the kids.
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Today was Mother's Day AND I became a proud member of the funny hat club. It was a nice little Sunday.
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It’s not that teachers don’t love their jobs, it’s that many times they can’t do their jobs due to the overwhelming distractions.
As a principal, it’s my job to minimize the distractions that are within my sphere of influence.
You don’t have to agree. I’m speaking to myself.
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When people are absent, I send a message to let them know that we are thinking about them and to make sure they take care of themselves.
Today, I stayed home sick. The messages poured in of people telling me to take care of myself.
A caring culture is contagious.
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Today I rode the bus home with students, and bus drivers deserve a million dollars an hour.
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As a teacher, staying home to take care of yourself is more work than going to school and toughing it out. That's important for leaders to remember. So instead of when do you think you'll be back, perhaps we should ask, how can I help?
Oh, and mental health is health.
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The Scene: Starbucks Window
Barista: How are you today?
Me: I’m good, but exhausted.
Barista: Rough day?
Me: I’m an educator, so, yeah.
Barista: Well thanks for being there for kids. They need you!
6-year-old from back seat: They can have her.
#SlayingParenthood
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A few days of rest and relaxation before I officially become a principal.
May this trip serve as a reminder to remind the people I serve to take care of themselves.
And may I always be someone who helps make that possible.
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One of my colleagues ask kids what they missed about school instead of what they did on break: it’s a small thing, it makes a big difference.
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A few of my core admin beliefs:
🍏 Please don’t apologize, I trust you.
🍏 Love kids first, teach them second.
🍏 If you need to be absent, be absent. We will make it work.
🍏 Wear what makes you happy.
🍏 Drive safely. 🙃
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Teachers, What is one thing your principal has done or you wish they would do to make your life easier?
I’m looking to be better.
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You know who should not become a teacher?
Every single person on the sidelines of my 11-year-old’s soccer game.
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Yesterday a first-grade student asked me to watch the camera for something that he lost.
I explained to him that it might be hard to see because we don’t know when or where he lost it.
He told me, “It’s okay, you can do hard things.”
I searched the cameras.
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My son hit his head and I wanted to check his alertness so I asked him what day it was.
His response: Mom, no one knows the answer to that.
He’s fine.
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My co-principal and I covered classrooms today. We asked kids why they were thankful for their teachers. It was supposed to be for kids, but it ended with the two of us thanking our lucky stars for what we do and who we do it with.
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How do we get students as motivated to reach goals in the classroom as they are to reach the top of the doorframe?
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If you are an educator, pause.
Take a deep breath.
Own your break.
You so earned it.
🍎 🍎 🍎
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What’s the most dangerous game you play?
I’ll go first.
I need gas. I’ll just get it in the morning.
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Today a teacher thanked me for the feedback I gave during an observation. And asked me to come back and see what she had in place as a result.
This is all I have ever wanted from leadership. To use my sphere of influence to build trust with those doing the heavy lifting.
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In my 20-plus years of teaching, I have come to the realization that grades result in compliance. Feedback results in change.
Teacher evaluation, much the same.
Grades and levels are a period.
Feedback is a comma.
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Is it me or does this seem like a real good time to admit that standards are made up and we can make up new ones in response to the kids and the situation we have in front of us? 😬
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Today is the day I get to switch my bio from aspiring principal to incoming principal. I am so proud and honored to be chosen to lead in an amazing community where, together, we will do amazing things for kids. Someone, pinch me!
parkwayschools.net/site/defa…
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I never really thought about how damaging the teachers are superheroes narrative can be. Teachers are AMAZING. But they are humans who need to be encouraged in words and actions to take care of their personal well-being and set boundaries.
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This Thanksgiving season I’m thankful for all teachers. Ya’ll have been drinking out of a fire hydrant since March, and somehow, you still show up every damn day for kids. Thank you. Take time for you this weekend.
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I got a message from a parent today thanking me for being her child’s person. It was exactly what I needed to hear when I needed to hear it.
This job is hard.
Never, ever, ever underestimate the power of your words.
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As school leaders, we have to listen. When educators tell us things aren’t right, there’s a reason. When there’s significant turnover, we have to pay attention. When multiple teachers tell the same story, we need to believe them. When we know better, we need to do better.
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All the leadership books in the world won’t help if you aren’t passionate about people.
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My greatest regret in education was staying in a place that wasn’t growing me.
Leaving is hard.
Growing shouldn’t be.
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If I ever become a principal, I hope I’m the kind that makes everyone feel like someone.
I don’t ever want busy to be a distraction from what matters most.
People. My why.
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Today while I was supervising 5th grade lunch, the kindergartners walked through the cafeteria. Unprovoked, the fifth graders started cheering on the kindergartners. The kindergartners smiled and waved. It was truly heartwarming.
How lucky am I to be amongst these leaders?
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As an aspiring principal, I’ve used this pandemic to take note of who I hope to be as a leader.
Many people have the title. Only some have the people.
Empathy is what separates them.
Noted.
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I seriously don’t know what I would do without our assistant principal. It’s not just that he makes this job easier, it’s that he makes it better. Cheers to APs. It’s a hard, hard job.
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Almost every single piece of exhausted technology starts to work again simply by unplugging it, giving it a few moments and then plugging it back in.
My plan this winter break is to see if that same plan works for exhausted educators.
You should too.
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I am not a teacher. I don’t always think like a teacher. But I do always ask a teacher before making decisions that they will need to carry out. My job is to do what it takes to makes sure they have what they need.
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I keep a paper calendar on my desk.
Yesterday a 3rd grader came by while I was doing walkthroughs and signed herself up in a blank spot.
When I passed her in the hall she said, “I’m your 2:30, I penciled myself in.”
Kids are the freaking best.
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The narrative about our kids being behind is a narrative created by those saying that they are behind.
Kids don’t need to catch up.
We need to meet them where they are at by shattering the monolithic thinking that each kid can be summarized by all kids.
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If you’re an educator feeling pressed for time you can save a few minutes in the morning by leaving your bag in the car, untouched, overnight.
Follow me for more life hacks.
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Teachers…
What is one thing you wish your principal would do that would tell you they understood how hard this job truly is?
Thank you, in advance, for answering. I’m hoping to be better and potentially help others too.
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I just had a third grade class give me advice on how to be a good principal.
Their advice:
🍎 Listen
🍎 Pay attention to the students
🍎 Visit classrooms often
🍎 Let kids be creative
🍎 Treat people fairly
Kids totally get it.
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When I’m mad or frustrated, I remind myself that I prayed for this job. I was rejected a half a dozen times when interviewing for this job. I wanted this job because I needed teachers to know that they are important. Some days leadership is hard. But it’s worth it every day!
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Writing a dissertation on what teachers need from a principal currently vs. before COVID has made me even more aware of how out-of-whack work-life balance is for educators. I would love to be an admin who makes realistic expectations the rule and not the exception.
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I love my job. AND, I’m ready for a break. It’s not a dichotomy. It’s a reality. This work is hard. It’s lovely. But it’s hard.
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I’ve seen administrators who would rather build their resume, than relationships.
And what I’ve noticed is that those who build relationships rarely need a resume.
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